PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar will hold talks with United States President Donald Trump during her visit to the United States on Saturday, Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Nicholas Morris told Parliament on Friday.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad BissessarHe told legislators that Persad-Bissessar, who is leading a delegation to the ‘Shield of the Americas Summit’ to be held in Miami on Saturday will “have one on one discussions with President Trump as well as senior officials in his administration including the Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, the Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick, the United States Trade Representative, Jamieson Greer and the Secretary of Energy-Chris Wright”.
Morris said that Trinidad and Tobago is deeply honoured to be among the countries in the Americas which share a clear and consistent commitment to democratic governance, including free and fair elections, rule of law, equality before the law, separation of powers, accountability, transparency, and the protection of fundamental freedoms.
He said to this end, Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar will also hold direct bilateral discussions with her colleagues throughout the Americas including the heads of state of Argentina, Panama, El Salvador and the Dominican Republic
He said such high-level engagement with our Latin American partners dovetails well with Trinidad and Tobago’s current outreach to MERCOSUR, the Southern Common Market trade bloc established in 1991.
Its members are Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. Venezuela joined in 2012 but its membership was suspended in 2017.
“Our participation in the MERCOSUR has the potential to activate new potential export markets for our manufacturers, promote the trade in services – in particular tourism, cultural, financial and ICT services – and open the door to additional sources of investment and technology,” Morris said.
He said that while in Florida, the Trinidad and Tobago delegation is scheduled to meet with other representatives of the United States government, investors and business leaders over a four day period.
“… our foreign policy partnerships with countries throughout the world including those in the Americas will enhance Trinidad and Tobago’s role as a responsible energy hub, supporting domestic industry, safeguarding jobs, and contributing to reliable supply chains that benefit both Trinidad and Tobago and all our partners.”
He said the participation of Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar in the ‘Shield of the Americas Summit’ and other high-level engagements with key decisionmakers in the United States, “is in keeping with the foreign policy orientation of Trinidad and Tobago centrally aimed at making this country stronger, safer, and more prosperous.
“In an ever-evolving international context, our government will continue to be bold and proactive in seeking the interests of the people of Trinidad and Tobago,” Morris said, adding “we make no apologies for prioritising Trinidad and Tobago’s commercial and security objectives in our diplomatic pursuits, as we aptly navigate a complex international and geopolitical system – in which the United States remains a key player in every aspect.
“Our government will continue the necessary diplomatic approaches with the United States and key regional and international partners, as we pursue pathways to sustainable development for our blessed twin-island republic, and to secure a bright future for generations to come,” he told legislators.
Morris said that the United States is Trinidad and Tobago’s largest trading partner for both exports and imports. In 2024, annual exports to the US amounted to approximately TT$21 with energy accounting for TT$15.4 billion and non-energy accounting for an estimated TT$5.6 billion.
